Riverland residents encouraged to give food scraps a second life

Riverland residents with access to a three-bin kerbside collection service are now being encouraged to place their food scraps in the green bin alongside their garden organics.

The District Council of Loxton Waikerie, Berri Barmera Council and Renmark Paringa Council are working together to provide the FOGO service to locals and provide information about using their green bins for food scraps.

Ella Winnall, Berri Barmera Council Mayor, said residents could feel confident that everyday food scraps can be placed in the green organics bin and safely processed through the Riverland’s existing Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) system.

"Providing FOGO services has been long awaited when so many other communities have had this in place for a long time. By collaborating with our neighbours, we’ve been able to provide a more modern, improved service and better choice for residents while also slowing the increasing costs of waste management."

"Kerbside waste is one of council’s key essential services and we are constantly looking at how we can deliver the most cost-effective service for community.

"When councils are charged by the tonne to dispose of landfill and food waste makes up 40% of the current red bins, every kilogram we can divert to green waste is really helping.

"Just like leaving a light on or leaving a tap running – all of that food waste has a financial cost and is costing the environment.

"It’s a simple change every one of us can make, which turns waste into a valuable resource,” she said.

Using the green bin for food scraps reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill. This helps councils manage waste more efficiently, reduce disposal and processing costs and minimise pressure on future waste budgets.

Peter Hunter, Renmark Paringa Council Mayor, said the regional FOGO service was an important part of taking a more sustainable approach to waste management.

"Diverting food scraps from landfill is about more than what we put in our bins, it’s about how we manage resources and reduce our environmental impact over the long term.

"Through FOGO, we can recover valuable organic material and nutrients, turning what would otherwise be waste into compost that can be returned to our farms, gardens and landscapes.

"Working together across the Riverland gives us an opportunity to make better use of the systems we already have while supporting a more sustainable approach to waste management across our region," he said.

Residents with a green FOGO bin can use it for all food scraps. As a general guide, food scraps and food-soiled paper products made from plants or animals can go in the green bin. This includes items residents may not realise are accepted, such as meat, seafood, bones, cooked leftovers, dairy products, used tissues and food-soiled pizza boxes.

Food scraps collected through the FOGO service are transported through the Monash Transfer Station to Peats’ composting facility at Langhorne Creek, where they are processed with garden organics to create compost for use on farms and gardens.

A regional education campaign will take place across all three council areas to inform residents and make full use of their existing FOGO service.

Trevor Norton, District Council of Loxton Waikerie Mayor, said the campaign was a great opportunity for the community to make a simple change that could have a real impact.

“I encourage all residents to get on board with FOGO and make putting food scraps in the organics bin part of their everyday routine.

“Together, we can reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and make better use of these valuable resources,” he said.

There are no changes to regular bin collection services as part of the campaign. FOGO services are generally available within Riverland townships but may not be available to some rural properties.

Residents can visit their council website for more information or use the Which Bin website to check where household items belong.

MEDIA CONTACT

Jane Frahn, Renmark Paringa Council, Communications and Engagement Officer, 8580 3000, jfrahn@rpc.sa.gov.au